The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-02-17

plishcd it, and in accomplishing il was
quite willing to relinquish all subor
dinate interests. He. too, held himself
aloof from his fellow-passengers. and
SO it was that when they reached
Council Bluffs not soul was on board
the train who could have told who the
lady and gentleman were that Travelled
alone and were SO very exclusive.
Any one who has made transcon-
tinental trip will appreciate the desire
to take turn on terra firma that seized
Ssbil's peculiar vis-a-vis when he
reached Council Bluffs. He was a
1.-the. athletic fellow. and during the
hour and half that the train halted he
made pedestrian tour into the sur
rounding country. Unfortunately, he
prolonged his walk beyond desirable
limit, and when he reached the station
again the train had already begun to
move slowly. Many time. he had
boarded the train when it was going
much more rapidly, and, with :
moments hesitation, he ran for the
rear platform Of hi; car, making a
spring and catching at the iron railing.
As often happens. he had not calcu-
lated on the full speed Of the train. He
missed the step and fell backward,
striking his head on the platform. and
only escaping terrible fracture by
the presence of a pile of empty mail
bags, which broke his fall.
The train stopped, and the injured
man was taken aboard, he was wholly
insensiblc. and the blood gushed freely
from the wound in his head. A skill
full surgeon who happened to be among
the passengers was summoned at once,
and, having seen the Young man made
comfortable in 4 sleeping car, he ex-
amined the confusion.
..Will some one please help me with
these bandages?" the doctor asked.
NO. thanks. he added. as gentleman
offered his services. "A lady, please. =
He glanced around the car and his
eyes fell on SYPHILIS calm face, on the
slim white hands that looked SO deft
and agile. and he noted the composure
with which she bore herself, while the
rest of the ladies were nearly all in
semi-hysterical state.
..Will you hold these bandages,
miss?" he asked, kindly. ..Do you
understand how to do it?''
20, yes, sir, said she, promptly.
My father was doctor, | am used
to such work.
The wound was shortly dressed, but
it was whole day before the young
stranger awokc from the stuper occa-
stoned by his fall, and then it was only
to pass into state of delirium.
..Do YOU know who he is?' the
doctor asked Sybil, who had been in
stalled by common consent rs the sick
man nurse.
This dropped out Of his pocket, :
she replied handing him business
card. think that is-his name, as his
baggage is marked with those initials.
The doctor read: Robert Vincent
& Co., commission merchants, New
York"
..He had narrow escape" he oh.
served, handing the card back to Sy
bill. "A little more force would hav
crushed his skull like nutshell"
A new interest suddenly awakened
for Sybil.
Il wonderful Louise will say wher
she hears that l have been playing
nurse?" she pondered the day following
the assumption of her new duties
..Poor fellow! I'm sorry for him.
At Cheyenne, happily for the sicl
man, the train was delayed two days b,
landslide. During the interval o
quiet and rest the doctor succeeded II
breaking his fever, and on the fourth
day after the accident Mr.. Vincen
opened his eyes in weak astonishmen
as his returning consciousness discernee
in his faithful attendant the handsom.
young lady with whom he had tried 81
assiduously to fiirt.
He felt too weak from the shock ant
from the loss of blood to ask any ques
tons, but Sybil OWNED his wonder
| and she explained to him the details o
his accident, with gentle grace a
charming as her former reserve hat
been admirable.
Nothing could have been prettie
than SYPHILIS devotion to the unfortunate
stranger, and other passengers SCENE.
to appreciate it. for they held aloof AM
were content with being merely spec
tators. She waited on him with per
severing devotion. 1t was SYPHILIS wa,
to do that. She read to him, or, whel
he wished it, talked to him. The pres
ence of an invalid seemed to infuse
home feeling into the life aboard tn
train, and when the weeks journey wa
protracted by various obstacles to tel
days no one complained.
Before they reached San Francisco
Mr.. Vincent was able to sit up. ]
would take some time for the wound +
heal, but he had recovered pretty vel
from the shock. In the opinion Of som
of the passengers he was not altogethe
anxious for immediate convalesccnce
which was hardly to be wondered al
and really think Sybil felt a twinge Q
regret as she sat the last evening besid
Mr.. Vincent's couch and listened to
party of gentlemen warbling Swiss al
out on the front platform. 1t wa
twilight, and the porter had not "
come in to light the lamps.
.Don't you think, Miss Sybil," Nj
Vincent said in low voice, '.ths
some acquaintance ripen very niue
faster than others? | feel as though
had known you for years, yet l .canne
tell what your last name is. The docto
calls you just Miss Sybil."
Il thought you knew she salt
simply, ignoring his first question
which had sent strange thrill to ht
heart. my name is Travers.'
i ..What?' he almost shouted. ..Wh;
did you say?'
"Travers," she repeated, looking !;
him surprised.
He sank back on the cushions hell
lessly, and, turning his face toward he
he murmcred: '.kismet!'
..Do you know" he continued, aft
a pause which Sybil felt to be pregnal
with meaning-.'do you know we ha,
been as badly mixed up as to o,